9th May, 2012
President Goodluck Jonathan has described the ongoing speculation that he is set to reshuffle his cabinet ahead of his one year anniversary coming up on 29 May as the handiwork of speculators which should be ignored.
In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Reuben Abati, the President was emphatic that he was not planning any changes in his cabinet.
He therefore advised the public to ignore the ongoing speculations about the issue. The statement reads:
“The speculation about cabinet change is the handiwork of mischief makers who seem bent on frustrating the good intentions of the Federal Government to deliver on the campaign promises of President Jonathan.
“Contrary to recent speculations in the media about a so-called impending cabinet reshuffle, the Presidency wishes to state emphatically that there is no truth whatsoever in the said reports.
“President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has implicit confidence in the ability of the current crop of ministers to deliver and has no plan to undertake any replacement at the moment. “There is also no truth in the alleged tension among ministers as a result of the rumoured imminent cabinet change.
“This is a calculated attempt to cause disaffection within the cabinet and divert the attention of members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) from their unwavering commitment to the implementation of the transformation agenda of the Jonathan administration.
“The speculation about cabinet change is the handiwork of mischief makers who seem bent on frustrating the good intentions of the Federal Government to deliver on the campaign promises of President Jonathan.
“We advise the public to ignore the antics of these mischief makers,” said the President.
—Oluokun Ayorinde/Abuja